Eclipse

Chapter 6

Grant's POV

"Eclipse.. I-"

"Don't."

"But-"

"Grant.."

"I'm just worried." I said as Eclipse settled into the spare bed with me. She sighed and mumbled.

"I'll be fine, Grant. It isn't like I'm gonna be stupid about this and just barge into the palace. There HAS to be a way to expose the king and queen's lies. And get my dad to the throne. Not to mention the 'prince' really doesn't wanna be king anyways." She explained with a yawn. I bit my lip as Eclipse's grandmother checked on us before bidding us goodnight. After she shut the door, I quietly put my arm around Eclipse and pulled her closer to me.

"I just realized. This is the first time I've seen your hair dry." I said curiously, playing with her long hair. She smiled sleepily, turning on her side a bit and resting her head on my chest.

"I can say the same for you." She said with another yawn. She gave my hair a quick ruffle before resting her arm over my stomach and drifting off. I sighed, staring at the ceiling quietly. I was curious about what she was planning. And I really hope it wasn't reckless. Eclipse didn't know a lot about how rulers could act since the village she lived in did not have direct access or a direct king or queen overlooking the village. I know mermaids and humans are different, but my dad could be pretty "cruel" to anyone that endangered his people or family. I can't imagine humans would be any different that way.

Another thing. Why the heck did that prince not want me coming into the palace but he let Eclipse in. I mean, I didn't care, I guess. But, I don't like leaving her alone up here and especially with some prince stranger. Well, everything should be okay. I'd be here to protect her.

Yamaguchi's POV

"TSUKKI!" I semi-shouted, tackling my boyfriend while he was in the middle of getting changed for the night work. We both fell onto the bed, Tsukki sighing as I giggled.

"Yama..."

"Yesss?"

"...I love you." He said, trying to look mad but gave up when a smile broke through. I giggled some more as he kissed me.

"I love you too.. Hey Tsukki, did Asahi tell you?"

"Probably."

"What?"

"I don't know. I don't listen to him. Did he tell me what."

"Did you see that girl here earlier with the prince?"

"Yeah."

"That's Hinata and Kageyama's daughter!" I said quietly, Tsukki looking at me with surprise. I sat up, sitting on my boyfriend's lap and doing his bowtie for him that I had messed up when I jumped him.

"Really? So the two got a kid. What's she doing here though, neither of them should be here."

"I don't know. The prince dragged her off before Asahi could talk to her." I said, Tsukki nodding and watching me finish up his bowtie. I climbed off his lap and let him finish getting changed while I straightened out my own outfit. 

"Well, I do wonder why she's here. Does anyone know where she's staying?"

"No. Maybe the prince??"

"If she was with him earlier, most likely."

"I'm gonna go ask him!"

"Yama, we're supposed to do the laundry and was the curtains."

"Oh I can still get that done in time. Besides, you and I both know the prince well enough to be more casual with him." I said with a smile, walking off against my boyfriend's advice. I made my way to the prince's room. Well, acting prince. Everyone in the palace knew what happened. It was, really sad.. Tobio's little brother was a lot like him, so it was kinda like having Tobio around again. But, Akihiko's replacement wasn't awful. He seemed like a nice kid.

"Your highness??"

"Come in." I opened the door, seeing Akihiko look over at me. He smiled slightly as I walked over after closing the door.

"Hi, Yamaguchi."

"How are you feeling today??"

"Meh.. " He mumbled with a sigh. I smiled faintly, giving him a hug. Everyone here, except maybe the actual king and queen, felt paternal towards this kid. It was crazy, thinking how many years it's been. Suga and Daichi ended up leaving and having a family, but almost everyone else stayed for the work. I do wonder what it'd be like to have a family with Tsukki though. Was I too old to be a parent though?? I mean, Tsukki and I were now old.. Like.. 34. Okay maybe that isn't THAT old but still, we aren't 18 anymore.

"Wanna talk about today?" I asked, sitting on the prince's bed and patting the spot next to me. Akihiko got up from his desk and sat next to me.

"Well... This girl came by earlier today. And. And she said she might have a way that I don't have to be forced to be the prince anymore."

"Really??"

"Yeah.."

"Are you not happy about that?"

"Well, yeah I don't wanna be forced to be a prince and whatever. But, I dunno what I would do if that happened. I mean, my parents sold me... And the king and queen gave them a LOT of money.. I know they've already left." He said a bit sadly. I frowned, pulling him in for another hug.

"Hey, I'll tell you what. If this girl figures out how to get you out of this whole mess, I'll let you stay with me and Tsukki."

"Really?"

"Sure. There's no way I'm letting you have no where to go." I said, Akihiko hugging me tighter with a nod. The boy yawned, so I told him he should sleep. I got up and tucked him in, blowing out the candle by his bed before leaving. I do feel bad for him. He was just an innocent kid who worked his butt off for his parents. And then they just up and give him away in the blink of an eye for some gold.

I also knew that Akihiko wasn't exactly treated well by the king and queen. Tobio wasn't either. But, it seems like the king and queen's patience has run even thinner. There was nothing I could do to stop them, but often at nights when I'd help Akihiko figure out how to take off the overly complicated attired, there'd be bruises and marks on his body. And I knew he got them from his "lessons". 

Maybe tomorrow I should try and find Hinata and Kageyama's daughter. I'd do everything I could to help get Akihiko out of here and safely with me, and Tobio back where he rightfully belongs.